Farmhouse Inn in Russian River Valley

Tucked away in sleepy Russian River Valley is an inn that even the most discriminating traveler would appreciate.  The Farmhouse Inn is a beautiful property that definitely should be on your radar if you are heading toward Russian River for a much deserved R&R.

If you are looking for a rustic looking but luxurious experience home away from home, you have to try out Farmhouse Inn.  The inn keepers (Joe and Catherine) are just lovely.  The current owners bought the inn in the fall of 2000 and renovated the place to perfection with the exception of the pool (I was told would be redone soon) which look a bit dated.  But other than that, the place feels like a very luxurious 5 star hotel.  The check in area was really nice and cozy.  They have free s'more kit for all their guests.  I was told the round pit right outside of the check in office is where all the guests gather at night to roast their s'mores.  Yum.  In addition, they have some free local artisan soaps that I can take back to use in my room.  Hello bathroom, here I come!

I stayed at one of the Barn rooms in the back of the property.  Apparently it was recently built and it looked it; everything was really nice and new.  My room had a lovely fireplace that opens to both indoor and outdoor.  The bathroom was exceptionally nice.  I love the rakes they hung on the wall; give the room a barn-ish vibe.  The shower was a steam shower so it was a perfect place to try out all the lovely soaps I gotten from the front desk.  The tub was huge.  It was definitely a two person tub.  The only complaint I have with my room was that because it was on the first floor with a stair that is right outside my wall which lead to upstairs units, every time someone uses the stair, I can hear cluck, cluck, cluck.  I think the architect dropped the ball here; he/she should have detached the stair away from the wall.  I would advise anyone who gets a barn room requests upstairs rooms or the first floor rooms on the left side (when you are facing the property from the road).  I have read on Travel Advisor that the heritage rooms, which are closer to the roads, can be a bit noisy with road traffic.  Since I didn't stay at those rooms, I could not tell you if that's true or not.

The restaurant onsite is also quite nice.  It had received an one star Michelin and it absolutely deserved it.  My dinner there was quite lovely.  Food was nice and tasty.  The breakfast is really really lovely.  Everything was delicious; scone was moist, pancake was fluffy.  It has to be one of the top ten breakfast I ever had.  You can choose to sit inside or outside on their deck which is surrounded by country flowers and herbs.  I choose to sit outside both days when I stayed at the inn.  It was a beautiful way to start my day for sure.

All in all, I would definitely come back again.  I would have no hesitation recommending this lovely property to my most discriminating well traveled friends.  This inn is as good as it gets for property of this size.  Bravo to Joe and Catherine.